The Fake Death Plot

back that night.

some stomach cramps, but Mr. Hayes insisted she stay ove

ospital. I didn't call him. I

ooms, a ghost in my own home. Everything lo

hem in th

tly from behind. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow around the

. He quickly stepped away from the swi

me. "You're home. Why didn't you ca

ke my arm, but

I looked past him, at Olivia, who was now standing and

dn't want to look at them. I didn't

ked my path. "

ur necklace. The one I gave you for our

imple diamond pendant, a star. He had told me I w

ued, his voice soft and persuasive. "It would mean so much to h

y anniversary gift, my 'North Star', to his mistres

of it was b

so intense, it felt like it was bei

lace, and held it out to him. I didn't place it in his hand.

the diamond star land

or fear?-crossed his face as he look

I asked, my voi

head on his shoulder, her eyes fixed on me. "Ethan, darling, don't force he

weet, but her ey

ack to her, his voice softening. "It's n

it around Olivia's neck himself. The star that wa

match. A cruel man a

time in our marriage, Et

midnight, I heard it. The faint sound of laughter, th

churned w

wn. I walked into the bathroom and threw

had burned itself out, leav

p. I woke up burning with fever. My head was p

body was fina

ce. He was calling my name, his tone frantic.

dabbing my face, murmuring my name over a

by my side for three days straight, not sleeping, not eating, just takin

r real? Or was i

nuinely terrified. His face wa

elief washing over his feature

my gaze cold and dista

ing. "I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't have left

e was sorry I was sick. But h

e to his voice. "I'll throw you the biggest party the c

ought a party

oat was too sore. I wanted to

t closed

" I wh

is show for the whole world to see. It wo